Pope Leo XIV holds a Mass with younger folks taking part within the Youths Jubilee on the Tor Vergata area in Rome, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.
Andrew Medichini/AP
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Andrew Medichini/AP
ROME — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday advised greater than 1,000,000 Catholic youths at a closing Mass for a weeklong encounter with the subsequent technology of devoted that they’re “the signal {that a} completely different world is feasible” the place conflicts will be resolved with dialogue, not weapons.
In his closing blessing for the Jubilee of Youth, Leo remembered the younger folks of Gaza and Ukraine and different nations “bloodied by battle” who couldn’t be part of their celebration.
“We’re nearer than ever to younger individuals who endure essentially the most severe evils, that are brought on by different human beings,” Leo stated. “We’re with the younger folks of Gaza. We’re with the younger folks of Ukraine, with these of each land bloodied by battle.”
“My younger brothers and sisters, you’re the signal {that a} completely different world is feasible. A world of fraternity and friendship, the place conflicts are usually not resolved with weapons, however with dialogue.”
The younger folks camped out in sprawling fields southeast of Rome in a single day after attending a vigil service on Saturday, additionally presided by Leo who has been ferried from Vatican Metropolis by helicopter. The particular Jubilee celebration is a part of the Holy 12 months that’s anticipated to attract 32 million folks to the Vatican for the centuries-old pilgrimage to the seat of Catholicism.
The Vatican stated greater than 1 million younger folks have been current, together with 7,000 clergymen and 450 bishops.
Younger folks get up after spending the night time on the Tor Vergata area in Rome as they take part within the Youths Jubilee, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.
Andrew Medichini/AP
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Andrew Medichini/AP
Through the Sunday homily, Leo urged the individuals to “unfold your enthusiasm and the witness of your religion” after they return residence to some 150 nations.
“Aspire to nice issues, to holiness, wherever you’re,” Leo urged the younger devoted. “Don’t accept much less. You’ll then see the sunshine of the Gospel rising every single day, in you and round you.”
Leo reminded the gang that their subsequent encounter will likely be for World Youth Day, set for Aug. 3-8, 2027, in Seoul, South Korea.
The week has been a joyous gathering marked by bands of youths singing hymns as they transfer down cobblestoned streets, praying rosaries in piazzas and standing for hours on the Circus Maximus to admit their sins to clergymen providing the sacrament in a dozen languages.
Leo additionally shared some tragic information on Saturday: two younger individuals who had made the pilgrimage to Rome had died, one reportedly of cardiac arrest, whereas a 3rd was hospitalized.
Rain in a single day woke up the devoted however did not dampen their spirits.
“At the least we have been a bit lined, however we nonetheless bought a bit moist. We misplaced our voices a bit. It was chilly, however we woke as much as a stupendous solar and think about,” stated Soemil Rios, 20, from Puerto Rico. “Regardless of the difficulties, it was very good and really particular to have been a part of this historic second.”
Sister Giulia De Luca, from Rome, acknowledged that “waking up was a bit powerful,” however that she was wanting ahead to seeing the pope once more.
“It will likely be very good to conclude a really intense week collectively. Positively a whole lot of enjoyable, but in addition very difficult in some ways,” she stated.
